Planter



May 30, 1950 P. c. MCLEMQRE PLANTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Aug. 17, 1945 Mwgw Wf/ May 30, 1950 P. c. MCLEMORE PLANTER original Filed Aug. 17, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 gl- Q mw A m www 3%/ QW@ QM. b

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. jizz/Len "Of f Pne clemofe May 30, 1950 P. c. MCLEMORE 2,509,691

PLANTER Original Filed Aug. 17, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 30, 1950 PLANTER Price C. McLemorc, Waugh, Ala.

original' application August 17, 1945,- serial'fNo. 610,963.' Divided and'this application August 1, 1947,-Seral No. 765,433 y l My present invention ment in aplanter.

l The present application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 610,963, filed August 1'7, 194.5. Y f 'Y In my application above referred to I have disclosed a method of planting an agricultural `crop grownfrom seed in which the field is initially plowed broadcast and left as flat as possible. This step in most climates would generally be done claims.y (01.111489) relates to an improvei planter remains stationary with respectto the: ground for a given time during movement of the planter. Each of the. planting units comprises; means for forminga planting hole and for returning the soil'removed in forming the planting hole thereto,

in the fall or early winter season. After such plowing the field is left undisturbed, Most obnoxious vegetation such as the grasses are hardy and usually withstand cold and Winter weather so that by planting time they have begun to sprout. In order to destroy such obnoxiousy or volunteer vegetation it is afurtherstepvof my above referred to method to flame the field-one or more times duringthe'interval between the time' the volunteer vegetation begins to-appear and the time forY planting. This flaming may be accomplished with the apparatusdisclosed inmy Patents No. 2,327,204, dated August 17, 1943, or

VNo. 2,369,154 dated February 13, 1945 or any other apparatus suitable for` bathing the -ground in flames of sufllcient intensity and length of time to effect destruction of the growing weeds. "The vflaming of the ground should be accomplished y`with the least possible disturbance tothe soilso ythatother weeds are not placed in a position to grovv.l The number of times flaming is necessary is largely dependent upon the amount of obnoxious vegetation present, the rapidity of its growth and the soil and climate condition. In general it may vary from one to'four times. In this manner by the method of myr aforesaid application substantially all obnoxious vegetation is removed or destroyed by flaming prior to the time the crop is to be planted. A field thus preparedis vready forplanting of the cropv seed, andk in order Inot `to impair the benet of the prior name treatment it is desirable to effect the planting of the crop seeds with the least amount of disturbance to the soil so that a minimum 4of weed seeds are brought to a zone from Whchtheymay germinate.'- 1 l Ai 'It is an object of my present invention to provide a planter rfor planting crop seed in a field by disturbing the soil substantially only in an area necessary to accomplish-planting ofthe crop seed: e

,In` order to accomplish the aforesaid object I propose to provide a planter comprising a vehicle having an endless track type of traction means with which one or more planting units are asso- Av preferred feature of my invention resides in providing a planter as aforesaid having means operable upon formation of the plantinghole to deposit a suitable fertilizer in the hole after which a portion 'of the soil removed in forming-'..the planting hole is returned thereto.

A further preferred feature resides in the provision of means operable after the aforesaid partial return of soil tothe planting hole to deposit the crop seed after which the remaining portion of'the soil removed in forming the planting hole is`returned. thereto.V` l

A still further. preferred feature resides in the provisionof means?. for effecting tamping thelsoil returned to the planting hole to restore the capillary actionof the soil.

It will be readily understood that in the apparatus of my invention the depositing of fertie lizer and initial partial return of soil to the planting hole maybe dispensed with in which event the .planting hole. would only be formed. to .a depth to provide for the deposit of the cropvseed for` its. proper germination and then return al1 the soil Yremoved in forming the plantinghole with or'without tamping of the returned soil as desired. I .r v .-'It will befurther understood that the planter of v.my invention is advantageous for use in meth-A ods: of planting-other than Vthe imethod f above briefly referred toin thatin any typ of plant-z` ing it is `desirable .to disturb only a minimum amount of Vsoil in. effecting Vdeposit of seedv in the ground.k l, 1 .The above vand other objects,y featuresvand advantages of my invention vwill appear from the detail description., Now -inj order to acquaint those skilled inthe art withA the' manner of constructing and utilizing aplanter; in accordance with my present invention,'I shall describe in connection withgthe accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of my invention. .c Figure 1 is a plan view cfa-planter constructed inaccordance with my present invention; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of theplantcr lshown in Figure 1;

ciatedand each of which in the travel of the :l g

1 .Eiguref isy a ychart, showing the sequence of planting operations of the planter shown in Figules 1 and 2;

Figure f1.; 15.9911 .enlarged side elevational view oi Figure 8 is an enlarged sideelevational view of the planting hole forming lmean'sfand plunger means of the planting unit of Figure 7 and Figure 9 is a bottom view of that part of the apparatus shown in Figure 8.

Referring now to Figui-es 1 and 2 there is shown a `Villflla'nter constructed 'in iaccordance -l-with fthe teachings zof my invention for 'accomplishing plantingfof cotton seed, or other fsultable crop seed, 'withfa minimum `of f disturbance to the csail. The iplanterf of f my "invention fcom'prises :a --vehicle I0 having a main frame whichat/itsiforward and rearward `rends provides for 'the fsupport of transversely'l extending axles orvsprocketsupporting :shafts j:I2 and '|3, respectively, `-which vhave journaled thereon'a' number offforwar'd-andvrear- Wardf-sprockets I4 `and I5, lrespectively eabout which endless trackmeans *Gand 1| 'I 'are :trained providin'gitraction means for the'vehicl'e. The for-ward end kof fthe n'iframe IIfI 1isfprovide'd with drawbar member :I9 fby'm'eans yf which the Vehicle I0? maybe hitclffed'to a vtractorior otherwise drawn l.along the;ground. shown @more clearly in Figure 1, one each ofthei n'clesstrack means Ir'and |"Ifis*disposedatfeitherfsidecf the fvehicle |10 andf each f comprises a.-. pair off laterally' spacedinner and vouterfen'clless tracks :2 Il-@and 2| respectively, with each of tlf'efendlessltracks a21| and 2| lfbein'g adapted tofbe trained overa pair off-orwardand rearwardrsprocket Wheels |-'||='1and |5 izproviiied therefor. A plurality fof planting units 2'3, shown idiagrammatically Tin llgures f1; andZ, 1 are adapted :to be carried byzea'ch .of the endless'track means -'|6 and ateitherirsideof the `fvehicle Fand are arrangediso that:they can cectfplanting of-seedfin rows between'ztlievspac-g ing of endless tracks :Z'Ufan'dZI Vof'fea'clr-of the endless track means I6 and I 'I at eitherfsidenf the-vhicle. .Ih'e'endle'ss'y tracks and 2| 'of Aithe track lmeans I6 and f ITI are Tof 'conventilzmalr construction 'comprisepivotally fconnectedl tread members 2'5withlcertaih of thel tread'members' each :being provided zwith ra planting 2unit 23. ielsdfra'l conventionalfbogey Yconstrt-iction Z'Iiisbassociatecl with the vehicle I0 for maintaining the. endless track means f I6 "and I 'I tautn the -itif'avelf oitthe tracks about thesprceketsf I tand: I 5. z-'Illis conventional bogey construction'f'c'omprises'"apl'liralltyff of idler vwheels 2`| Il'rotatablyimounted suitably supportedfbyllnks zatpivotallylconnected to .ai framev 29 to supp'ortfthefenulessf.trackimeans lr6 Fand 'I 'I vfrom.sagging Aand to Pkep v.the 'ftrack means-infalignment with the-sprockets Mandi I5.

as is well known in the art. Also; ifdesi'redytle lplanting Tunits r 2 3 may be constructed to: connect track means |6 and I1 will remain stationary with respect to the ground for a predetermined length of time while the vehicle-is moving forwardly. As will be hereinafter disclosed in detail it is while the planting units are in their relatively stationary position with respect to the ground thatthe operations nec'isar'ytoieiect planting of 'thfe see'i'are carried but. lAn essential'feature of my invention is in providing a vehicle whereby fa planting unit may remain stationary with re- Lspect to the ground for a predetermined length of ltime to elect planting of seed and not disturb the ffsolsuri'ounding the immediate planting area, as

is thecaseinfprioriorms of planters in -which there{islcontinuous'mvement between the plantfnglnechanismand the ground.

While I have shown a single planting unit as extending-the full length of tread member 25, it will be understood that the dimensions of the treads 'ande-0f v.the .splanting unitfmay :be 4fproportioned so that the planting unit-.canfbeadjusted lengthwise -of theendless track f means |-6 fand I to provide 4fiore-different :hill spacingsf of .plants. Likewise, the dimensions of the treadsmaybe suitably fproportioned and rthe planting units 23 associated with fcertain of .the -treads to .provide a f-deslredspacing lof .the i plants,4 in a row. d Also the ffaxles'orvshafts lf2 Aand :I3fat lthe :forward and rearward -ends ofthe vehiclepreferablyfare of .-a suiicient length ato Fpermitfthe axial adjustment thereon of the :sprockets d4 and I5 so -that -.the endless.traclf:I means I I 6 and I'I ,together vwithy the planting units 23 lcarried thereby 2 along opposite sidesrof'thef-vehicle maybe :brought closer together, or spaced further apart `to provide the desired distance Tbetween v-adja'centfplant rows. The fra-me 1H alsoiprovides ifor'support-.of-fa;fertilizer hopperandascedhopper3|.

#It y'will lbe runderstood -that --the endless track means |;6 A:and |11 feachcomprisingtthe ,pair of endless ltracas 20 and 2 I are of likecnstruction andthe description of Emy invention vhereinafter will `belimited tothe traclrfmeans IBfand the association of "a planting unit `2f3=therewithfitbeingffurther vunders*toed .that `thecseveral fr planting units 23eme allfof-thesame construction.

:Referring nc-w to Figureql it `Will 2 bek observed that-the fframefmember I I Iproviders for-support of afplan-tingunit actu-ating means-z-fwhich-eomprises'fa -frame 'memberfS 'extending ylengthwise of the vehicle, which frame memberls -is-.disposedpar'alleliwith fand-#below the framefmember III -between it yann l.the lower; run of the endless track: means.r I 6 :The frame mem-berv3-3- has a pair of forward and frear-ward links 34 A suitably rpivotally r mounted :in =.-brackets A secured -thereto .and which linksfat` their other ends aareapivotal-ly Lcon-v nected= toHawbar-'Sfi .extending iengthfwis'ef and forwardly-of thefive-hlele.V A-secorrd pair'oforfward andl rearward'` links :3 6 -'havel lpivotal` connection to the bar-: lat?thefpivotal'. connections of links 34 thereto "and lthe Sather ends of the* links l-3i5 `.are pivotallyz'conneczted-V tof bracketsrnxedto :the frame member'tlzofcthe Ivehicles |10. A :pair cf brackets 38 are also secured to the frame member Ilifand each of thefbracketsft'narriesian:adjustable stop nfrember 3 9i for engaging?v the links 36? orfllimitlng rearwardrectilinearzmovementofi bar.3 5. s pair creteil-.spamsiwaressuitably connectedeatl their opposite ends to the frame member s3 and'fithe frame -Ilnremlber I I to normally urge the afname member 331i towamthe f'framefmember I I'. The frame member 33Y fatfitsiorwardtand rearward ends is'iproifide@avvii-,nia 'pain of slots'fs: intofwh'ich guide; arms 43 icarrledbylthe frame member I I extend for guiding movement of the frame member 33 vertically relatively of the vehicle. The guide bars 43 are provided with stops 44 for limiting the upward movement of the frame member 33 by the springs 49. The forward end of. the bar 35 has a handle or actuating memberr 45 pivotally connected thereto which extends for, wardly of the vehicle. Upon the bar 35 being urged to the night by means of grasping the actuating member 45 in the position of the parts shown in Figure 4, the common pivotal axes of the links 34 and 36 upon the draw bar 35 will be drawn past center after which the springs 40 will be effective to raise the frame member 33 vertically upwardly to a position in which the stops- 44 are engaged, which position of the frame member 33 as will be hereinafter described positions the planter actuating mechanism in its inoperative position so that the vehicle may beidrawn or moved without actuation of the planting units 23. As shown in Figure 4, the frame member 33 has suitably secured to the under surface thereof a pair of lengthwis-e extending cam plate members 59 and 5I, the functions and purposes of which will be described in detail hereinafter.

Reference may now be had to Fig-ures 4, 6 and '7 from which it will be seen that the planting unit 23 comprises a funnel means 52 for guiding fertilizer and Acrop seed into a planting hole to be formed between the spacing of endless tracks 20 and 2l, which is formed by a pair of semi-funnel members 53 and 54 carried, respectively, by opposed tread members 25 of the endless tracks 20 and Zi of the endless track means I6 in opposed relation with respect to each other. The semifunnel members 53 and 54 are of like construction and are preferably made of sheet metal and each lcomprises an inclined wall 55 extending diagonally downwardly and inwardly from the upper outer edges thereof to the spacing between the endless tracks 20 and 2l, and a pair of end walls 56 extending diagonally downwardly and centrally toward each other from the upper end edges of these members. A planting hole forming means is indicated generally at 60 and comprises a vertically reciprocal shovel or hole digging member 6l which for the planting of cotton seed is preferably approximately 41/2" in length and 1/2" in width. The shovel 9| is provided with a valve means 62 at its lower end, which valve means will be described in detail hereinafter. A pair of vertically extending rods 63 are threaded at their inner ends into the upper closed end of shovel member 6|. Coil springs 65 are confined between enlarged headsl 66 at the upper ends of the rods 63 and aI pair of flange members 61 carried by the pair of spaced shovel supporting frame members 68 to receive therebetween the shovel 6l, which shovel supporting frame members 68 are provided with laterally inwardly extending flanges 69 which are-suitably secured to the track tread 25 of the inner endless tra-ck 29 of the track means I6. The frame members 68 provide for support of the planting 'hole forming means 90 above the space between the pair of spaced endless tracks 29 and 2|. The coil springs 65 normally provide for positioning of the shovel 6I in the position shown in Figures 6 and 7 wherein it is spaced above the ground. The shovel 6| is provided with a pair of ears 19 which as shown more clearly in Figures 8 and 9 provide for guiding of the shovel in its vertical movement by vertically extending guide slots formed in vertical frame membersI 12 disposed along the vertical end edges of shovel 6l and secured between frame members 68 and backing panel 13. A shovel cam follower 14 'is' suitably supported adjacent the upper end of the shovel 6| and is adapted to be engaged by the shovel control cam 5I for effecting vertical reciprocal movement of the planting hole forming means 60. A plunger means I5 is mounted for vertical reciprocal movement in the shovel housing 6I and comprises an end Aplate member or piston 16 suitably secured to the lower end of a vertically ex'- tending rod 11 which at its upper end provides for supportof a plunger cam follower 18 which is adapted to have engagement with the cam surfaces of the plunger operating cam 59. A coil spring 1| is disposed about rod 11 and normally provides for positioning of the plunger means 15 in its uppermost position in which the piston 16 is positioned at the upper end of shovel-5I. A pin 19 carried by rod 11 extends laterally inwardly of the endless track 29 and serves as a tnip arm for causing delivery of fertilizer and crop seed to the f-unnel means y52 of a planting vunit 23. Referring again now to Figures 1, 2 and 4, it will be observed that iiexible conduits and 8l extend from the fertilizer hopper 39 and the seed hopper 3l, respectively, to dispenser devices 82 and 83, respectively. The dispenser devices 82 and B3 are of known construction and when tripped are adapted to deliver a predetermined measured amount of fertilizer and seed, respectively. As shown more clearly in Figure 7, the fertilizer dispenser 82 has a discharge conduit 84 extending therefrom, which is adapted to discharge the fertilizer into funnel member 53. A shaft 85 extends laterally outwardly of the dis.- penser 82 and at its end is formed with a trip arm 86 which when tripped by the pin 19 carried at the upper end of the rod 1l actuates the fertilizer dispenser means 82 to effect discharge of fertilizer from the fertilizer hopper 39 thro-ugh the discharge conduit 84 and into the funnel member 53 of planting unit 23. The seed dispenser unit 83, like the fertilizer dispenser unit 82, is provided with a trip arm 9i! adapted to be engaged by the pin 19 at the upper end of rod 11 to discharge seed into funnel member 53 of the funnel means 52 of a planting unit 23.

Reference may now be had particularly to Figures 8 and 9 for a description of the valve means 62 at the lower end of the shovel housing 6I of the planting hole forming means 60 ofmy invention. It will be observed that valve means 62 comprises a pair of plate valve members 92 and 93 pivotally mounted along their outer side edges about a pair of pins 94 and 95, respectively, which are supported in spaced bearing supports 96 formed integrally of the side walls of the shovel at their lower ends. Each of the valve members 92 and 93 is also formed with spaced bearing supports 91 fitting about pins 94 and 95 between the bearing elements 95 of the side walls of shovel 6I, and a pair of coil springs 98 foreach valve plate are disposed about the pins 94 and 95, respectively, between certain of the spaced bearing supports 96 and 91 of the shovel and valve plates. One of the ends of each of the coil springs is secured to the valve plate members 92 and 93 in clips 99 formed by spaced slits in the valve plates, and the other ends of the springs are fixed in clips |09 suitably formed by spaced slits in the side walls of the shovel 6I. The arrangement of the springs is such'that they normally maintain the valve plates 92 and 93 in horizontal position, but provide for swinging thereof inwardly and outwardly ofthe shovel 6I, to pro- Hide Afior fthe admission .of senil -into @the shovel 65|, Eaml for ftherfdisoharge of soil there.- rrom .as will :more siully lappear :hereinafter in iiescibing 1:1'1e.mode.m operation of :my planter. A'Forpurposesoffexplaining the operatiomofgthe .planter .of my :present invention ref efenoe may nmvfave yhad particularly 190;'Figures13, ,fs .f5- Af-ter the planter mas been brought to the gelgi a'nd it is desired iito -effectrplflllillg f O seid lie handle y member 'A5 is urged tothe 1ef;t,:as igiewed #in Figure togeffeet movement toatliegleftgof the l bar member 35 ytto pilin the planter -uhnit eetuatingfmeehanismz in iglfhepositionshown r1 Figure 4. With therplanlger unit; actuating; meh- `ilmsm 1532 .in this position i it fwillbe f observed l that as :afpla-nting-funitp2-3 assumes a s tationa 1r\y pesiation relative to .the ground sind dur-ing f foigwaid .movement-of: the vehiclezthat:theiplunger operating'amf0 an1i= the shovel fcqritrol csm El will engageabhe. eam followerl 1,8 of f thefpllmger f aetnlatingf means 115, lrxriv'he-rv cem follower Mgeff the planting hoie ,forming means 5560, qrespeetively. ,-'Ifhus iin-:stagej,-.iridioatedfingiligmzefi, the sam ,-surfaceffly-l offfthegshovelcontrol- Qalmf l y,engages fthe cam follower mi of fthe @lenti-Ang fhole form- :nglmeansflfwhch drives;` the-fshovel f6 l intothe glfolund andeorms'the planti-ngholegll 'Duuring `dow-:nwsriy:verlieal movement of the shovel :Spf the.ppimieerfoperatinefeem .50 is.;

@fthe amaplunger .mda 'l In Returns therV plungerrod tens-inmad gbmthe; euwerdspivstal :movement of "che .waiveplatesm and; 93, @gain-return tinelatter oftheinnormal horizontalimsitim to metgimthe ingillzervthrqugh .con-

'eed -..ne ifoliffgerd mOi/@merli 0f Jill@ fvhele- I Willlbefebsel-Yeii @natif desired .the outer atm s efiiees 2 l i .0f ine endless irskells 4,26 as @edi- Hilogeiher with the. funnel mem-bere@ bar- Yfied pliereby y arid ythe; sproekets M and I5 .profvifiefl @reformerhedispensedwwiih iffxiesd in whih qa-se the fflnnel members 53 ,0f Sash off .Le p lsniingfunitsfwouldfprvi'de @rs1-ldmeri. ..v'iizerand-eed, into the Vpiantine hdls'l iwhile y1 have shown what; I consider to .-be `lai-lefpreierred*qeriabodiment. of, my inyerition--it-,Will Jae; understood; tnqtyarious nfioc1iee=1;io,ris andrv alrr,einem;entsmaisallemuela therein Witlout de- QLpaiine from the spirit end sQQpe Offmyfiiwnf tionl I -c1aim:

31.3121 a planter :for planting .erop .,seeds, f the Combination mf fa vehicle having f endless track v10 ,Lm-:fans presiding for movement thereofIalong-tlfle grounds planting unit; assoeiatedfwithgad@ndsSf-traek mesnsi-wherebydfunit iS Aaramted :toe remain. st aiionary relativer to the eroundror Jafpredetermmed; lengthoftime sminefmovement f ,gz'lf` oif;thevehiele, s alcifpianting :unit-including @sans for removing soil from the ground to form a planting hole and to return subsequently the removed soil into the planting hole, and means carried by said vehicle operable to effect actuation of said last named means when said planting unit is in its aforesaid stationary position and during movement of said vehicle.

2. In a planter for planting seed the combination of a vehicle having endless track means providing for movement thereof along the ground,` a planting unit associated with said endless track means whereby said unit is adapted to remain stationary relative to the ground for a predetermined length of time during movement'of the vehicle, said planting unit comprising means for removing soil from the ground to form a planting hole and return the removed soilinto the planting hole, means carried by said vehicle operable to eifect actuation of said means of said planting unit when the latter is in its'aforesaid stationary position and during movement of said vehicle, and seed dispensing means carried by said vehicle for dispensing seed into said planting hole, said seed dispensing means `being adapted to be actuated by said planting unit after said planting hole has been formed.

3. In a planter, the combination of a vehicle having endless track means providing for movement thereof along the ground, a planting unit associated with said endless track means whereby said unit is adapted to remain stationary relative to the ground for a predetermined length of time during movement of the vehicle, said planting unit comprising means for forming a planting hole by removing soil from the ground and return subsequently the removed soil in two stages into the planting hole, means carried by said vehicle operable to effect actuation of said means of said planting unit when the latter is in its aforesaid stationary position and during movement of said vehicle, fertilizer dispensing means carried by said Vehicle, seed dispensing means carried by said vehicle, said fertilizer dispensing means being adapted to be actuated by said planting unit after formation of said planting hole to effect deposit of fertilizer therein, and said seed dispenser means being adapted to be actuated by said planting unit after the first stage return of the soil to said planting hole removed in forming the latter.

4. In a planter, the combination of a vehicle having endless track means providing for movement thereof along the ground, a planting unit associated with said endless track means whereby said unit is adapted to remain stationary relative to the ground for a predetermined length of time during movement of the vehicle, said unit comprising a vertically reciprocable planting hole forming means, plunger means mounted for vertical movement in said planting hole forming means, rst cam means carried by said vehicle adapted to engage said planting hole forming means when said unit is stationary relative to the ground to form a planting hole in the ground, said planting hole forming means including means for retaining therein the soil removed in forming the planting hole, and second cam means carried by said vehicle for actuating said plunger means to discharge the soil from said planting hole forming means into the planting hole while the planting unit is in its stationary position.

5. The combination of claim 4 characterized by the vehicle carrying seed dispensing means for depositing seed in the planting hole formed by the planting hole forming means, said seed dispensing means having a trip :arm positioned to engage trip means carried by said planting unit with the latter in its stationery position to effect actuation of said seed dispenser means after formation of said planting hole.

6. In a planter, the combination of a vehicle having endless track means providing for movement thereof along the ground, a planting unit associated with said endless track means whereby said unit is adapted to remain stationary relative to the ground for a predetermined length of time during movement of the vehicle, said unit comprising a vertically reciprocable planting hole forming means, plunger means mounted for Vertical reciprocable movement in said planting hole forming means, rst cam means carried by said vehicle adapted to engage said planting hole forming means when said unit is stationary relative to the ground to form a planting hole in the ground, said planting hole forming means including means for retaining the soil removed therein in forming the planting hole, second cam means carried by said vehicle for actuating said plunger'means to return the soil retained in said planting hole forming means in two stages to said planting hole, fertilizer dispensing meansA carried by said vehicle for depositing fertilizer in the planting hole, seed dispenser meansy carried by said vehicle for depositing seed in the planting hole, trip means carried by said planting unit for effecting actuation of said fertilizer dispensing means after formation of the planting hole by said planting hole forming means, and said trip means being effective to trip said seed dispensing means subsequent to actuation of said plunger means by said second cam means to effect the first stage return of soil to said planting hole to deposit seed therein, and said second cam means after deposit of said seed being adapted to actuate said plunger means to effect the second stage return of soil to said planting hole.

'7. In a planter, the combination of a vehicle having endless track means providing for movement thereof along the ground, a planting unit associated with said endless track means whereby said unit is adapted to remain stationary relative to the ground for a predetermined length of time during movement of the vehicle, said unit comprising a vertically reciprocable planting hole forming means, plunger means mounted for vertical reciprocable movement in said planting hole forming means, iirst cam means carried by said vehicle adapted to engage said planting hole forming means when said unit is stationary relative to the ground to form a planting hole in the ground, said planting hole forming means including means for retaining therein soil removed in forming the planting hole, second cam means carried by said vehicle for actuating said plunger means to return the soil in said planting hole forming means in two stages to said planting hole, fertilizer dispensing means carried by said vehicle for depositing fertilizer in the planting hole, seed dispenser means carried by said vehicle for depositing seed in the planting hole, trip means carried by said planting unit for effecting actuation of said fertilizer dispensing means after formation of the planting hole by said planting hole forming means, and said trip means being effective to trip said seed dispensing means subsequent to actuation of said plunger means by said second cam means `to eifect the first stage return of soil to said planting hole to deposit seed therein, and said second cam means after deamasar 11 posit of: said seed: being adaptedtoT actuatesaidi plungerv means;` to effect the.I second: stage return;

of. soil to said plantingA hole. and. said: second.

camhavinga portion fon actuating. said plunger meanstotamp the-soil; returned to.- said planting hole.

8:. In a planter,r the combination of a. vehicle having endless track means providing for movement thereofv along the ground, aV planting unit. carried by saidendless. track means whereby said unit-isfadaptedto; remain stationaryrelative. to; the` groundV for a predetermined length of` time duringl movementof the vehicle, saidunit come prising,r planting holeforming. means for forming` a planting holel in the ground and including valve f means; to retain the; soilremoved in formii'ng. the planting hole; and, discharge means fon discharging the soil from said planting-holelformingfmeansf, irst cam means carriedby said vehicle: adapted toA actuate said planting Vhole form;- ing means when said unit is stationary relative to the ground and. during movement ofsaid vehicleto form a planting hole, and seeondcam means carried by' said` vehicle lor actuating said discharge meansto. discharge. the soil.-f1'om` said planting hole: forming means into the planting holev while saidl planting unit isin itsfstationary position.

95 In ai planter, the combinationv of: av vehicle having endless'trackmeans providing for movement thereof: along the. ground; a planting unit carried bysaid endless tracki meanswhereby said unit-is adapted to remain stationaryA relative to the` ground.V for al predetermined: length of time during'movement of the vehicle,.said unit comg prising, planting hnle forming means for' for-mring; aiplanting hole in the,y ground, valve meansfor retaining the soil removed in forming the planting hole. in saidvv planting hole forming meansand-discharge means for discharging the soil from. said` planting hole forming means through said valve'means rst cam means carried by said vehicleadapted to actuatesaidV planting hole forming means when said unit is stationary. relative'tath'e-ground and during movement;V of said vehicle to form a planting hole, andA second cam. means carried by said vehicle for actuating said discharge-'means to discharge the soil from saidy planting hole forming means into the; planting hole While said planting unit is` in its.;l stationary position, said second cam means having a-vpnrtion. for actuating said discharge means to-tamp the soil returned to said planting'hole.

10. The combination of claim 8 characterized byr the vehicle carrying seed. dispensing means, and: means between said, seed dispensing meansand said planting unit for actuating said seedA dispensing meansvafter formation of said plant-v ing hole and` before-return of. the soil removed in formation or the same by said discharge means.

PRICE C. MCLEMORE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of' record in the file of' this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 859,536 Albert July 9, 1907 1,362,569l GrrzybowskiV Dec. 14, 1920 2,050,739 Sieverkeppy Aug. 11, 1936 

